Child marriage averted at Ulavapadu mandal

Ongole: Acting on a tip off, the Childline 1098 staff stopped a child marriage on Thursday, which is scheduled to be performed at Ulavapadu mandal on Friday.

According to BV Sagar, HELP programme officer and paralegal volunteer, he received the information of the child marriage from an unknown person and forwarded the same to the Childline and District Legal Services Authority.

After enquiry, they found that an eighth class student from Chagallu village in Ulavapadu mandal is engaged to her 24-year-old maternal uncle from Gobburu village in Kandukur mandal and scheduled the marriage on Friday.

On orders from the DLSA, Sagar invited the fathers of the girl and her uncle to Childline office on Thursday and explained about the adverse effects of child marriage on the girl and the family.

Sagar and Childline coordinator Mantru Naik counseled that performing marriage to girl below 18 years of age is illegal and as per the Prevention of Child Marriages Act, they would be punished with 2 years of imprisonment and Rs 1 lakh fine.

They also explained that child marriages affect the health of the girl and her babies in future. The parents of the girl submitted an undertaking that the marriage is cancelled.

They said they would not perform her marriage until she completes 18 years of age.

Sagar said that the public can call the Childline on toll free number 1098 and share information about child marriages and other issues related to children rights and safety.